Seed Envelope Template (Page 2 of 4) in pdf

Seed Envelope Template Page 2

GETTING STARTED

rom the moment you pop a seed into the ground, seeds of thought should

be sown in your mind: how will I gather and save the seeds from this

plant, what do I need for this process, and where will I store the seeds so they

will last for many years to come?

GATHERING & STORING

Tip

Seeds are part of a plant’s life cycle, and saving them should be

given as much thought as all the other stages of plant growth.

Try to avoid collecting seed

or fruit that has been lying

WHAT YOU NEED: Secateurs, loppers, scissors, a pillowcase/cloth

on the ground, as it may

bag, paper bags, a bucket, basket or bowl, gloves, labels and a pen.

have experienced ageing

or insect attack.

GATHERING SEEDS

The type of harvesting method chosen largely depends on the

natural dispersal of the plant. For example, wind-dispersed seeds

can simply be shaken out of their seed pods, but if these are from a

tree, you may need long-handled pruners to reach them. Dry seeds

can be harvested into a paper bag or pillowcase, as opposed to wet

seeds like tomatoes where a bucket would make a better receptacle.

CONTAINERS TO STORE

Professor César Gómez-Campo,

of the Technical University of

Madrid, tested 40 different types

of containers for their ability to

exclude water vapour. Only sealed

brass cans, Kilner jars with rubber

seals, laboratory bottles with a

screw cap and polythene seal

(normally used for liquid chemicals),

and ﬂ ame-sealed glass ampoules

Tip

prevented the intake of moisture

sufﬁ ciently for long-term seed

Old camera ﬁ lm canisters

make good containers for

storage. Plastic, glass, metal or foil

storing small amounts of

containers let moisture in after two

seeds, and these can then

or three years and were only good

be put in Kilner jars for

for short-term storage.

double the protection.

5 4 S e e d S w a p

Seed Envelope Template Page 2

Related Articles

Related forms

Related Categories